Jayapura, Jubi — The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) in West Papua Province has revealed that there are 2,548 children in West Papua who have contracted COVID-19 ever since the pandemic started.
Manokwari Regency reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in children, 1,025 cases, followed by Sorong City, 601 cases.
West Papua IDAI chairman Rio said currently there were 112 children who were still fighting against the coronavirus. “Their fight against the virus requires the support of all parties, especially parents,” he said on Saturday, August 7, 2021, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
Rio said COVID-19 cases in children in West Papua continued to increase. From May to December 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases in children in West Papua was 550, and then increased to 2,000 cases in July 2021.
“The most significant increase was from mid-June until now,” he said.
Meanwhile, six children in West Papua have died of the COVID-19 disease. Rio appealed to adults and parents to increase vigilance in keeping the children safe amid the still rapidly ongoing COVID-19 transmission.
“Children should stay at home. Don’t take them outside, especially in crowded places such as malls, markets or tourist attractions with high potential for COVID-19 spread,” he said.
